Relationship between body composition and physical condition in children and adolescents in northwestern Mexico
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v66.113985Keywords:
Adolescents , Body composition , Physical fitness, ChildrenAbstract
Introduction: Physical fitness and body composition are key indicators of health and physical performance in children and adolescents.
Objective: To identify the relationship between physical fitness and body composition in children and adolescents in northwestern Mexico.
Methodology: Quantitative observational study, cross-sectional and correlational, conducted with 330 (192 females and 138 males) children and adolescents aged 9 to 15 years. Electrical bioimpedance was used to assess body composition, the 1RM test for maximal strength and the FITNESSGRAM battery to assess physical fitness.
Results: The correlation between body composition and VO2max was negative, with a moderate negative correlation between body fat (-.428), body fat percentage (-.398) and BMI (-.323). There were strong correlations between lean mass and maximal strength in men (-.732) and in nutritional status with underweight (-.809).
Discussion: The correlations obtained for maximal strength and VO2max with body composition were similar to those presented in similar studies. Where it could be related that the higher the fat mass index the lower the cardiovascular efficiency, and the higher the lean mass the higher the muscular performance.
Conclusions: Body fat and BMI had a negative influence on physical fitness performance in children and adolescents. Lean mass was a predictor of physical performance, reflected in maximum strength values.
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